WASHINGTON — Known as the Capitol Holiday Tree since the 1990s, the Engelmann spruce towering over the Capitol’s West Lawn became a symbol of the Republican-led Congress’s resolve on the matter of holiday wishes.

The issue touched the White House when some Christian conservatives expressed anger over the cards they received from President Bush and his wife, Laura, wishing them a pleasant “holiday season.”

Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., who made clear in a letter last month that he intended to light a Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn, on Thursday flicked a switch that illuminated the 65-foot spruce dressed up with 10,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments. It will shine nightfall to 11 p.m. each day through Jan. 1.

The brightly colored ornaments were crafted by the people of its home state, New Mexico, and strands of energy-conserving LED lights decorate the tree.